Steam Ironing System

ABSTRACT

A steam ironing system is disclosed as including an electric iron, and a water container with a water outlet tube, in which the iron includes a water tank for storing water, a steam chamber in a fluid-communicable relationship with the water tank, a water inlet tube in a fluid-communicable relationship with the water tank, and a pump. The iron is detachably engageable with the water container, and when the iron is engaged with the water container, the water outlet tube of the water container is connected with the water inlet tube of the iron in a fluid-communicable relationship, and the pump is operable to draw water in the water container through the water outlet tube and the water inlet tube to the water tank.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to a steam ironing system, in particular such a system with an iron and a water container.

BACKGROUND

There are in existence a large number of steam irons which are capable of emitting steam during operation. Such conventional steam irons have an internal water tank into which water may be introduced. Water stored in the water tank may be passed to a steam chamber, then heated and converted into steam for emission. In order to maintain the steam irons at reasonable and comfortable weight and size, the water tank in the steam iron is usually of a relatively small size. This means that a user often has to refill the water tank at least once (and may be more times) during the ironing process, which adds to the time and trouble of ironing.

There are also in existence some steam generators including an iron and a steam generating unit. The steam generating unit has a water reservoir and is electrically powered to heat up the water in the reservoir for conversion to steam and to keep the steam at a high pressure. The steam so generated is passed (when required) to the iron for subsequent emission. The steam generating unit in such steam generators has to be strong enough to withstand high pressure and much electric power has to be consumed to convert the water to steam and to maintain the temperature of the steam above the boiling point. In addition, the iron is permanently attached with the steam generating unit (which is rather bulky in size) for supply of electricity and steam. Electric wires and a steam conduit are encased within a very thick tube connecting the iron and the steam generating unit, which adds to the cost of production and inconvenience of use and storage.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is thus an object of the present invention to provide a steam ironing system in which the aforesaid shortcomings are mitigated or at least to provide a useful alternative to the trade and public.

According to the present invention, there is provided a steam ironing system including an iron, and a water container with a water outlet, wherein said iron includes a water tank for storing water, a steam chamber in a fluid-communicable relationship with said water tank, a water inlet in a fluid-communicable relationship with said water tank, and a pump, wherein said iron is detachably engageable with said water container, and wherein, when said iron is engaged with said water container, said water outlet of said water container is connected with said water inlet of said iron in a fluid-communicable relationship, and said pump is operable to draw water in said water container through said water outlet and said water inlet to said water tank.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A steam ironing system according to an embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view of a steam ironing system according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which the iron is detached from the water container;

FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view of the steam ironing system of FIG. 1, in which the iron is engaged with the water container;

FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of a cut-off lower portion of the iron of the steam ironing system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of the iron of the steam ironing system of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of the water container of the steam ironing system of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A steam ironing system according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 1, and generally designated as 10. The system 10 includes an electric iron 12 and a water container 14.

The iron 12 has a body 16 fixed with a soleplate 18 formed of metal or metal alloy, which may be heated to a high temperature. The soleplate 18 is formed with a number of steam outlets 20. A steam chamber 22 is formed between the soleplate 18 and the body 16. A water tank 24 is formed within the body 12 of the iron 12, and water may be introduced into the water tank 24 for storage via an opening 26 which may be closed by a lid 28 which is shown in an open position in FIG. 1. Water may pass from the water tank 24, via a closable valve 30, to the steam chamber 22. When the soleplate 18 is heated to a high temperature, water in the steam chamber 22 is converted into steam and exits the iron 12 via the steam outlets 20. Simply stated, the water tank 24, the valve 30, the steam chamber 22 and the steam outlets 20 are in a fluid-communicable (in particular liquid-communicable) relationship with one another. The iron 12 is electrically powered, e.g. by a.c. municipal electricity via an electric cable 32.

The iron 12 also has an internal electric pump 34 in operative association with a water inlet tube 36. An end of the inlet tube 36 is exposed to the outside environment, and another end of the inlet tube 36 leads to the water tank 24 in the iron 12.

The water container 14 has a base 38, a wall 40 and an upper platform 42, which collectively define a space 44 for containing water. The base 38 supports the water container 14 on a support surface (e.g. a table top). The upper platform 42 is spaced apart from and slanted relative to the base 38. In particular, the upper platform 42 is slanted relative to the base 38 in such a way that a front end 46 of the water container 14 is taller than an opposite rear end 48 of the water container 14.

The water container 14 includes a water outlet tube 50 close to its rear end 48. A lower end of the water outlet tube 50 leads into the space 44 of the water container 14 and an upper end of the water outlet tube 50 is exposed to the outside environment via a sealing gasket 52. A lid 54 is provided at the front end 46 of the water container 14. The lid 54 may be opened to allow water to be introduced into or drained from the space 44 of the water container 14. It can be seen that the container 14 does not include or carry any electrical parts or components.

When the iron 12 is properly engaged with the water container 14, and as shown in FIG. 2, the water outlet tube 50 of the water container 14 is sealing connected (due to the existence of the sealing gasket 52) with the water inlet tube 36 of the iron 12 in a fluid-communicable manner. An electric circuit is provided in the iron 12 for controlling the operation of the pump 34. When the iron 12 is properly engaged with the water container 14, the electric circuit is closed whereby the pump 34 is run to draw water in the space 44 of the water container 14 through the water outlet tube 50, the water inlet tube 36, to the water tank 24 in the iron 12 (as shown by the arrows depicted in the water outlet tube 50 and water inlet tube 36 of FIG. 2). When the iron 12 is detached from the water container 14, the electric circuit will be opened, whereby the pump 34 stops running.

It can be seen from FIG. 2 that when the iron 12 is properly engaged with the water container 14, the iron 12 sits on and is supported by the platform 42 of the water container 14. More particularly, when in this position, the iron 12 sits on and is supported by rotatable rollers 56 of the platform 42 of the water container 14.

As shown more clearly in FIG. 3, water drawn by the pump 34 through the water inlet tube 36 is led to the water tank 24 (of which its bottom 58 is shown in FIG. 3) by an internal tube 60, which is shown in dotted lines in FIG. 3. A micro-switch 62 is provided for controlling the operation of the electric circuit in the iron 12. A reed-switch may instead be used for controlling the operation of the electric circuit in the iron 12.

As shown in FIG. 4, an end of the water inlet tube 36 extends through the body 16 of the iron 12 to the outside environment. An actuator 64 of the micro-switch 62 is also exposed through the body 16 of the iron 12 to the outside environment.

FIG. 5 shows in more detail the structure of the water container 14. On the platform 42 are two pairs of rollers 56. Thus, when the iron 12 is placed on the platform 42, it will slide on its own weight (and assisted by the rollers 56) into proper engagement with the water container 14. The rollers 56 may instead be wheels or ball bearings which are rotatable relative to the platform 42. A pair of side guides 65 are also provided for facilitating proper engagement between the iron 12 and the water container 14.

A curved bar 66 is provided adjacent the front end 46 of the water container 14. The bar 66 is pivotable relative to the platform 42 between a lowered position (as shown in FIG. 5) and a raised position. When the iron 12 is engaged with the water container 14, the bar 66 may be pivoted to the raised position to lock the iron 12 against accidental detachment from the water container 14. When the bar 66 is moved to the lowered position, the iron 12 may then be removed from the water container 14.

As shown in FIG. 5, the water outlet tube 50 of the water container 14 exits the water container 14 near the rear end 48 via the sealing gasket 52. A protrusion 68 is also provided at the rear end 48 of the water container 14, and next to the upper end of the water outlet tube 50, for co-operation with the actuator 64 of the micro-switch 62 for operating the electric circuit of the iron 12. In particular, when the iron 12 is properly engaged with the water container 14, the protrusion 68 acts on the actuator 64 of the micro-switch 62 to close the electric circuit to thereby run the pump 34. When the iron 12 is detached from the water container 14, the protrusion 68 is out of contact with the actuator 64 of the micro-switch 62, so that the electric circuit is open, to thereby stop running of the pump 34. By way of such an arrangement, the pump 34 automatically starts to run when the iron 12 is engaged with the water container 14, and automatically stops to run when the iron 12 is detached from the water container 14.

It can be seen from the above that, if desired, the iron 12 can be used as a stand-alone electric steam iron. Water may be introduced into the water tank 24 via the opening 26. Water may then pass to the steam chamber 22 for conversion to steam for subsequent emission through the steam outlets 20. This is suitable in cases where only a small number of clothing items or the like are to be ironed. If, on the other hand, a large number of clothing items or the like are to be ironed, the iron 12 may then be used in co-operation with the water container 14 so as to conveniently provide ready supply of water to the iron 12.

It should be understood that the above only illustrates an example whereby the present invention may be carried out, and that various modifications and/or alterations may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention. It should also be understood that various features of the invention which are, for brevity, described here in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any appropriate sub-combinations. 

1. A steam ironing system including: an iron, and a water container with a water outlet, wherein said iron includes a water tank for storing water, a steam chamber in a fluid-communicable relationship with said water tank, a water inlet in a fluid-communicable relationship with said water tank, and a pump, wherein said iron is detachably engageable with said water container, and wherein, when said iron is engaged with said water container, said water outlet of said water container is connected with said water inlet of said iron in a fluid-communicable relationship, and said pump is operable to draw water in said water container through said water outlet and said water inlet to said water tank.
 2. A system according to claim 1 wherein said water container includes a base and a platform spaced apart from said base.
 3. A system according to claim 2 wherein said platform is inclined relative to said base.
 4. A system according to claim 2 wherein, when said iron is engaged with said water container, said iron is supported by said platform.
 5. A system according to claim 2 wherein said platform has at least one rotatable member.
 6. A system according to claim 1 wherein said iron includes an electric circuit for operating said pump.
 7. A system according to claim 6 wherein, when said iron is engaged with said water container, said electric circuit is closed to thereby run said pump.
 8. A system according to claim 6 wherein, when said iron is detached from said water container, said electric circuit is opened to stop running of said pump.
 9. A system according to claim 6 wherein said iron includes a switch.
 10. A system according to claim 9 wherein, when said iron is engaged with said water container, said switch is operable by an actuator of said water container to close said electric circuit.
 11. A system according to claim 10 wherein, when said iron is detached from said water container, said switch is operable to open said electric circuit.
 12. A system according to claim 1 wherein said water container includes no electrical parts. 